[Saigoku Kaido Part 3] Feeling the 'Checkpoints' of Japanese History: From Seki Daimyojin to the Statue of Nanko and His Son's Farewell.

1. Introduction: The 'Backbone of the Nation' that is the Saigoku Kaido

Walking along the Saigoku Kaido, I realize
that this is not just a road,

but an artery that supported the nation of Japan.

This time, I visited
Seki Daimyojin -> Sakurai Station Ruins -> Statue of Nanko and His Son's Farewell,
a section where you can feel the turning points of history.

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2. Seki Daimyojin: The God Who Protected the Checkpoint

'Seki Daimyojin'.

It is a small, unmanned shrine, but
the atmosphere changes the moment you stand here.

It is clear that this place was a checkpoint for entering Kyoto,
a point where people, goods, and information were strictly managed.

It is not flashy.
However, the silence itself speaks to the 'weight of the checkpoint'.

Yamazaki Sokan

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3. Sakurai Station Ruins (8th Century): A Station as National Infrastructure

Moving to Shimamoto Town.

It is now 'Shimamoto Station', but
Sakurai Station once stood here.

However, the meaning is completely different from a modern 'station'.
• A relay point for changing horses
• Lodging for government officials
• A collection point for official documents and supplies

In other words, this was vital infrastructure supporting national administration.

It is surprising that 8th-century Japan
was already organizing the country so systematically.

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4. Statue of Nanko and His Son's Farewell (14th Century): Inheriting a Will

And then, the Statue of Nanko and His Son's Farewell.

The place where the father, Kusunoki Masashige,
is said to have spoken to his son, Kusunoki Masatsura.

'I will not return.
Therefore, you must carry on my will.'

These are such dramatic,
and such heavy words.

The value of self-sacrifice for the public good
might be controversial in the modern day.

Even so,
the question of 'how to pass on one's way of life to the next generation'
still strikes a chord in today's era.

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5. Conclusion: Words That Transcend Time

The Saigoku Kaido
is more than just a historical walk.
• Mechanisms for protecting the nation
• The importance of information and logistics
• The resolve to pass on one's will to the next generation

These things pose questions to my own way of life today.

Riding a bicycle, stopping to walk,
receiving history not as 'knowledge' but as a 'sensation'.

The Saigoku Kaido is truly fascinating.

Bonus

I thought about having lunch at a restaurant, but
it would be a waste of time, so I'll just have
rice balls from the Co-op.

The pigeons here come really close!! lol